Combination sinker and bait stabilizer

Abstract

According to the principles of the present invention a combination sinker and bait stabilizer for a fishing hook is provided. The device is intended for use with a fishing hook having a curved shaft and a sharp tip extending from the curved shaft. The device includes an attachment portion including an eye adapted for receiving the curved shaft through the sharp tip and for lying on the curved shaft. The device further includes first and second capture members attached to the attachment portion and spaced apart from each other, the first and second capture members lying in a plane lateral to the plane of the fishing hook and extending upwardly to be inserted into a portion of a soft bait to maintain the soft bait laterally to the fishing hook.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A fishing bait stabilizer, comprising;
 a fishing weight, wherein the fishing weight comprises a first groove formed in a first side of the fishing weight, a second groove formed in a second side of the fishing weight opposite the first groove, and a hole disposed between the first groove and the second groove; and 
 a continuously formed bait capture member, 
 wherein the continuously formed bait capture member is a cylindrical rod having a first end and a second end, 
 wherein the first end of the cylindrical rod faces in a first direction that is perpendicular to an upper surface of the fishing weight, 
 wherein a first portion of the cylindrical rod is disposed in the first groove, 
 wherein second and third portions of the cylindrical rod project through the hole of the fishing weight and form a substantially circular attachment portion comprising an eye configured to receive a fishing hook, 
 wherein a fourth portion of the cylindrical rod is disposed in the second groove, 
 wherein the second end of the cylindrical rod faces in the first direction, and 
 wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the cylindrical rod is substantially flat along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second ends of the cylindrical rod are disposed on substantially a same plane as each other along the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       3. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 2 , wherein the plane on which the first and second ends of the cylindrical rod are disposed is below a bottom surface of the attachment portion. 
     
     
       4. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 3 , wherein the fishing weight has a donut shape, and wherein the upper surface of the fishing weight is flat and extends along the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       5. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 4 , wherein the fishing weight weighs at least 1/32 of an ounce. 
     
     
       6. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 4 , wherein a bottom surface of the fishing weight is flat and extends along the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       7. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical rod comprises metal. 
     
     
       8. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 7 , wherein the fishing weight comprises tungsten. 
     
     
       9. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 8 , wherein the fishing weight comprises at least 97% tungsten. 
     
     
       10. A fishing bait stabilizer, comprising;
 a fishing weight, wherein the fishing weight comprises a first groove formed in a first side of the weight, a second groove formed in a second side of the weight opposite the first groove, and a hole disposed between the first groove and the second groove, wherein the fishing weight comprises at least 97% tungsten; and 
 a continuously formed bait capture member, 
 wherein the continuously formed bait capture member is a cylindrical rod having a first end and a second end, wherein the cylindrical rod is metal, 
 wherein the first end of the cylindrical rod faces in a first direction that is perpendicular to an upper surface of the fishing weight, 
 wherein a first portion of the cylindrical rod is disposed in the first groove, 
 wherein second and third portions of the cylindrical rod project through the hole of the fishing weight and form a substantially circular attachment portion comprising an eye configured to receive a fishing hook, 
 wherein a fourth portion of the cylindrical rod is disposed in the second groove, 
 wherein the second end of the cylindrical rod faces in the first direction, and 
 wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the cylindrical rod is substantially flat along a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
 
     
     
       11. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second ends of the cylindrical rod are disposed on substantially a same plane as each other along the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       12. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 11 , wherein the plane on which the first and second ends of the cylindrical rod are disposed is below a bottom surface of the attachment portion. 
     
     
       13. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 12 , wherein the fishing weight has a donut shape, and wherein the upper surface of the fishing weight is flat and extends along the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       14. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein the fishing weight weights at least 1/32 of an ounce. 
     
     
       15. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 13 , wherein a bottom surface of the fishing weight is flat and extends along the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
       16. The fishing bait stabilizer of  claim 10 , wherein the fishing weight is coated in a dark colored paint.